Seattle Schools Community Forum

 Update:  I have received some new info - via the City - and either we have a case of Who's on First or SPS is not being forthcoming with all it knows about this student survey of teachers.  I have word that one school has been working on this - with Teachers United and possibly school staff as well as the Seattle Youth Commission - for almost two years.  I'll let you know all the details when I get them sorted out but I have to wonder whose survey it truly is going to be. End of update. I had a long conversation with Dr. Eric Anderson, head of Research, Evaluation and Assessment, who is in charge of the initiative for a separate student survey of teachers.  So let's get some basics out of the way: The survey has not been written but they will likely pivot off other student surveys out there (more on this below) Who will be part of this "work group" that will decide on the survey, which schools will pilot it and which students (grade level) will ta...

From SPS Communications: Seattle Public Schools is updating attendance area boundaries to accommodate enrollment growth and new construction. An initial draft of boundary changes was provided in September, offering families, staff and the community time to weigh in and give feedback. After hosting five community meetings and receiving thousands of emails and suggestions, new recommended boundary changes are being proposed. These can be found at: http://bit.ly/GrowthBoundaries . For more information, including supporting documents, see the following: ·          October 16 Board Action Report ·          Attachment B : Reference Materials ·          Attachment C : Summary Information on Public Input We are asking for new feedback on the recommendations via a survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7BKFRS3 . Please take this survey by Oct. ...

Yet another in the series of odd surveys the district is putting out, here's the latest .   At least, it is short but does require every question to be answered in order for it to register. It's a all over the map.  Questions about what you think are should be the priorities of the Superintendent and the district, questions about the new leadership and its role, etc. Here are two of the odder questions: Since the change in leadership, do you think the Seattle School District is currently headed in the right direction, or the wrong direction? Which leadership - Superintendent or Board?  That needed to be clear right up front but yet, you are left guessing.  Also, Enfield has been on the job less than a year and the election just happened - it's not a great question to be asking at this point in time.  As you know, the Superintendent is hired by the School Board, who are (sic) elected by the voters.  There are different ways a Board and Superin...

Here is the presentation from today's Work Session on the Strategic Plan with survey results.

The Seattle Public Schools is updating and adjusting the Strategic Plan with input from teachers, principals, parents, families, and members of our community. Please visit the following survey link to provide feedback to Seattle Public Schools:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SPS_Strategic_Plan_Survey_Spring_2011 The survey consists of 21 questions and has been extended to Thursday, June 2. Responses to the survey will remain confidential and anonymous.  For questions about the survey, please email performance@seattleschools.org. Seattle Public Schools Family Survey Additionally, the SPS Research, Evaluation and Assessment department will send out the 2010-2011 Family Survey by phone and e-mail starting on June 4. The survey will first be sent to families who have elementary students, then middle, and finally high school. There will be one phone call and an e-mail correspondence. If you prefer the e-mail correspondence you will have 4 days to complete the survey o...

Ballard teacher, Eric Muhs, has a survey that was developed to receive input on the Strategic Plan (but it's not just for teachers so take it if you'd like). Here's the info about it: Colleagues: after meeting with School Board member Micheal DeBell last week, he encouraged us to collect information about the “Strategic Plan” as developed and pursued under the auspices of the previous Superintendent. Specifically, he indicated interest to us, and at last week’s public School Board meeting, to shelve or postpone elements of the plan that have not been cost-effective or successful. To that end, we made this survey. If you could take a few moments to answer it, that would be much appreciated. The information may help Mr. DeBell as he attempts to get the Board to revisit some of the decisions made over the last few years. Here’s the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DDT3NNV Also, Eric and another Ballard teacher, India Carlson, had participated in a Seattl...

Just a few things to start our week. First up, do not forget to participate in any surveys available on curriculum adoption , the new SPS website or to apply to be on a curriculum adoption committee . Monday The survey on Parent/Teacher Conferences is only live through 4 p.m. on Monday the 3rd . Also, sign up for the School Board meeting speakers list starting at 8 am on Monday , 252-0040 or e-mail: boardagenda@seattleschools.org. Wednesday There will be a School Board Executive Session from 4-5:30 p.m. before the regular School Board meeting at 6 p.m. (The public cannot attend Executive Sessions; this on is on "contract negotiations" and an "employee appeal". I'm thinking the contract one may be about the principals' contract.) Agenda the Superintendent will be speaking about TIF, the Teachers Incentive Fund . Things have been quiet on this front so it might be interesting. the CAO, Susan Enfield, will giving an annual update on CTE (Career-Techni...

The Middle School Language Arts Instructional Materials Adoption page has links for a staff/student/family survey as well as info on applying for the Adoption Committee. Again, the end date on the surveys and due date for committee applications is Jan. 6th.

From the SPS website: Seattle Public Schools is inviting families to comment on the parent/teacher conference schedule for the 2011-13 school years. The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z8JGDDY until 4 p.m., Monday, Jan. 3 . This survey will take between one and five minutes to complete. Responses will be summarized, shared with School Board members and posted on the SPS website. SPS is applying to the state Board of Education for a waiver to allow the three full-day parent-teacher conference schedule to continue. The three-day model replaces the prior model of seven half-day/early dismissals.

The Social Studies Instructional Materials Adoption page has links to parent/community and staff surveys. Oddly, although the science adoption has a survey for students, social studies does not. They are also looking for 2 parent/community representatives to survey on the high school social studies adoption committee. Applications are due by Jan. 6th and you will be notified by Jan. 10th. Here's some more info: We are asking that prospective applicants bring an open mind, with passion about student learning in Social Studies, and avoiding approaching the process with a specific textbook or set of materials in mind. Time commitment will be approximately 60 hours between January and April, 2011 . We expect to hold five day-time meetings (8:00 AM – 3:00 PM), and four after-school or evening meetings. The committee will determine its schedule at the first session on Thursday, January 20th, 2011. (3 PM – 6 PM).

The High School Science Instructional Materials Adoption page has links to surveys for staff, students and community/family members. That they are asking for student input is great so encourage your student to take the survey. The surveys close on Jan. 6th . They are also looking for members of the Science Instructional Materials Adoption Committee. The application period closes on Jan. 6th and you will be notified by January 14th.

There's a survey for parents, staff and family members for K-5 Music Instructional Materials Adoption. They are looking for input on music curriculum standardization. The survey ends on Jan 6th. There is also a link to an application to be on a K-5 General Music Adoption Committee . Applications are taken until Jan 6th. The K-5 Music Instructional Materials Adoption page has links to all these items. Thank you to SPS parent for this info (I had seen it but it dropped off my radar).